New Jersey
Township Bans Pesticides in Parks(Beyond Pesticides, November 16, 2006) Contributing
to a statewide campaign effort to reduce pesticide exposure to children,
Hazlet became the first township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, to
employ pesticide-free zones in its parks. According to a story printed
in the Independent, the township passed a resolution
on September 19, 2006.

The recent move
in the New Jersey township is in response to the steady rise in public
concern over the potential hazards associated with chemical lawn care
products and services. Approximately 100 million pounds of pesticides
are used by homeowners in homes and gardens each year - a figure which
substantially increases when applications by commercial lawn care companies
are taken into account. Suburban lawns and gardens have been shown to
receive far heavier pesticide applications per acre than most other
land areas in the U.S., including agricultural areas.

Studies of major
rivers and streams find that 96 percent of all fish, 100 percent of
all surface water samples and 33 percent of major aquifers contain one
or more pesticides. Of the 30
most commonly used lawn pesticides, 13 are probable or possible
carcinogens, 14 are linked with birth defects, 18 with reproductive
effects, 20 with liver or kidney damage, 18 with neurotoxicity, and
28 are sensitizers and/or irritants.

Studies show that these same hazardous lawn chemicals are drifting into
our homes where they contaminate indoor air and surfaces, thereby exposing
children at levels ten times higher than preapplication levels. Today
lawns and landscapes can be effectively managed without chemicals that
are harmful to human health and the environment.

According to New
Jersey Environmental Federation’s Pesticide Program Coordinator
Jane Nogaki, Hazlet township should not have much of a problem complying
with the new rules. She continued, "Hazlet is a place where pesticides
are not used very much, so this isn't a drastic change for them."

Mrs. Nogaki also
said, "We asked people to write to their mayors in their towns,
letting them know that they wanted to see a change." It is reported
that places in Monmouth, such as Wall and Neptune, are also going to
try and get on board.Overall, people in Hazlet have been very receptive
to the idea according to Mrs. Nogaki, "People are cognizant of
what is occurring in town and they are glad that things are changing."
The plan calls for only certain areas of parks, such as tot lots and
natural areas to be designated as pesticide-free.

"For now,
pesticides are still being used on playing fields, but the goal is to
have all parks, including playing fields, go 100 percent pesticide free,"
she said. According to the Independent, Mayor Michael Sachs
noted that Mrs. Nogaki has put in plenty of effort locally to help the
cause. Mayor Sachs said, "She's been working hard and it's good
to see that this got done in Hazlet. I'm sure once other municipalities
see what we've done, they'll follow along as well.”